Biosecurity: the key to healthy herds and effective disease control
Biosecurity is a key factor in the success of healthy, sustainable and economically viable livestock farming. Whether pigs, cattle or poultry – consistent hygiene, effective disease prevention, continuous health monitoring and farm-specific vaccination programmes play a decisive role in preventing animal diseases and safeguarding the long-term health of livestock. Alongside good management, barn hygiene, access controls, early detection and modern preventive measures play a key role. The technical programme at EuroTier 2026 addresses these challenges and devotes particular attention to the topic of biosecurity.
The demands placed on livestock farming are constantly increasing: animal health, animal welfare and economic success are now inextricably linked to consistent biosecurity management. At the same time, animal diseases such as ASF, FMD and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) pose major challenges for farms. The same therefore applies equally to pig, cattle and poultry farmers: prevention is the most effective form of protection. Biosecurity, hygiene and farm-specific vaccination programmes form the basis for breaking chains of infection, maintaining animal health and preventing economic losses.
Pigs: Animal health starts with prevention
For pig farms, improving animal health is a top priority. A stable health status improves animal welfare, reduces labour and financial costs, and boosts herd performance. Key factors include an optimised housing environment and feeding tailored to the animals’ needs. Both measures promote animal health.
Biosecurity also plays a central role. Against the backdrop of African swine fever (ASF), it remains one of the most important areas for innovation in pig farming. ASF entails strict biosecurity requirements, continuous monitoring and, in the event of an outbreak, herd culls and movement bans – which pose considerable challenges, particularly for smaller farms. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) took on added significance last year.
Vigilance and rigorous hygiene are essential in the face of diseases such as ASF and FMD: clean protective clothing, regular disinfection of hands, footwear, vehicles and equipment, minimising contact within the farm, and maintaining a visitors’ log. Technical solutions also help. Permanently installed filling pipes allow feed silos to be filled from outside the premises, so that delivery vehicles do not have to enter the farmyard. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to prevent the disease from being introduced and to contain its spread.
Cattle: Biosecurity protects animal health and economic viability
Improving animal health is also a high priority in dairy farming. Although there have recently been fewer major outbreaks of disease in the cattle sector than in the pig or poultry sectors, biosecurity must not be underestimated under any circumstances – it fundamentally protects the health of the entire herd.
Since the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in January 2025, particular attention has been paid to biosecurity measures on all farms with cloven-hoofed animals: consistent hygiene in barns and amongst staff, vehicle disinfection, reducing unnecessary contact between farms, and coordinating via digital channels or by telephone rather than through face-to-face visits significantly reduce the risk of introducing the disease. Equally important are comprehensive record-keeping and the immediate reporting of suspected cases.
Poultry: Biosecurity is key to protecting existing flocks
In the poultry sector, biosecurity and hygiene are of particular importance, as this is where the greatest risk from highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) lies. Since October 2025, numerous outbreaks have been recorded in poultry flocks worldwide, as well as many infected wild birds. The most important protective measure here remains the consistent implementation of all biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens.
The focus is on the thorough cleaning and disinfection of the poultry houses during the service period: removal of grease and protein deposits using alkaline cleaners, followed by disinfection with approved products, as well as swab or contact samples to verify effectiveness. Equally important is strict personal hygiene – the separation of ‘black’ and ‘white’ zones, changing of footwear and clothing, hand washing and visitor logs are standard practice. Vehicles not belonging to the farm should, where possible, not enter the premises; if they must visit several farms, cleaning and disinfection are essential. Wild birds must not be allowed access to feed, water or outdoor runs; furthermore, pest control measures against rodents and insects play an important role.
Early detection is crucial: sudden animal losses, respiratory symptoms or a decline in egg production must be reported immediately. Daily monitoring of water and feed intake, as well as rounds of the poultry house, serve as an early warning system.
Vaccinations strengthen the immune system
Alongside biosecurity, vaccination is a second key pillar of prevention, designed to strengthen the immune system and prevent or mitigate disease outbreaks. In the poultry sector, farm-specific vaccination programmes – which begin as early as the rearing of pullets – have proven their worth. Vaccinations against Newcastle disease and, depending on flock size, against salmonella are required by law; further vaccinations ensure the long-term health of the flock. As vaccine protection can wane as the duration of rearing increases, and no vaccine guarantees complete protection, multiple or booster vaccinations may be advisable – always in consultation with the attending veterinary practice. For broiler chickens, vaccinations against Newcastle disease are also standard practice, supplemented – depending on the risk of infection – by vaccinations against infectious bronchitis or Gumboro disease. Consistent house hygiene and professional flock management also help to maintain good health.
Tailored vaccination programmes have also proven effective in calf rearing – vaccinations against bronchopneumonia and neonatal diarrhoea are among the key preventive measures and should be planned on a farm-by-farm basis in consultation with the veterinary practice.
Conclusion
Nowadays, biosecurity is much more than simply adhering to individual hygiene rules – it encompasses all measures that minimise the risk of pathogens being introduced and spreading. For pig, cattle and poultry farms, consistent hygiene, effective disease prevention, continuous health monitoring and farm-specific vaccination strategies form the basis for healthy livestock populations. Those who understand and implement biosecurity as an integral part of farm management strengthen animal health, animal welfare and economic efficiency in equal measure, and create the conditions for sustainable livestock farming.
EuroTier 2026: Focus on biosecurity
The technical programme for EuroTier 2026 focuses on biosecurity as a key factor for success in modern livestock farming. Under the overarching theme of ‘Intelligence in Animal Farming’, the DLG Expert Stages and DLG Spotlights will address key topics for the future, including biosecurity. The DLG Expert Stage ‘Biosecurity and Feed Safety’ offers specialist presentations and panel discussions on current challenges and practical solutions – ranging from modern hygiene concepts and ensuring feed quality to innovative technologies for management and prevention. The programme is complemented by species-specific DLG Expert Stages, where experts from the fields of practice, science, industry and consultancy will present current developments and forward-looking production and husbandry concepts.
For trade visitors, EuroTier 2026 offers the opportunity to gain a concise overview of the latest findings and tried-and-tested strategies for improving biosecurity, and to discuss these directly with experts. Lectures, panel discussions, live demonstrations and networking events in Hanover provide an ideal platform for exchanging experiences, learning about new technologies and evaluating specific solutions for one’s own farm.